The Bombay High Court Thursday directed the Maharashtra government to monitor the implementation of the earlier High Court order to demolish 855 illegal structures in Ulhasnagar town of neighbouring Thane district.

Hearing the matter, the bench headed by Justice Lodha said that Principal Secretary of Urban Development Department should personally monitor implementation of the court order as regards demolition of illegal structures given to the Ulhasnagar Municipal Commissioner, and also submit a status report by January 24.

The court further said the Principal Secretary would be held liable if the High Court order is not properly implemented by the Commissioner.

Earlier, the court, after going through the affidavit filed by Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation, expressed displeasure about the slow progress of the demolition drive.

The High Court also directed the Principal Secretary to submit the report of Nandlal committee, study the illegal structures in Ulhasnagar, in the court along with the action taken based on the reports.

If action has not been taken based on the committee report, the court said the state government should also specify the reasons behind it.

The Principal Secretary should also submit the copy of the enquiry report by Director General (Anti-Corruption Bureau) related to Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation as referred in the Nandlal Committee, the court said.